The St. Camillus Pastoral Care Center began last May 23, 2020 the Camillian Mental Health Awareness Program for Batch 1 Central Office employees of The Camillian Fathers, Inc. (CFI). The one-day seminar titled “I Am with You”: A Post-ECQ Stress Debriefing for CFI Employees had the following speakers: Ms. Edna Costuna, RPsy, RPm, Ms. Janelle Villamor, MA Psych and Fr. John Jay Magpusao, MI. This program was initiated by the Camillian Fathers with the following objectives: to support the psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being of the employees after the lockdown; to help the employees ventilate the intense stress reactions they may be experiencing; to learn the normal stress reactions after lockdown; to prepare the employees for possible future psychological and emotional stress; and to guide the employees in deepening their faith and trust in God in time of crisis.
Ms. Costuna talked about “COVID-19 Pandemic and New Normal” that was followed by a group activity. The participants were divided into two. Through their drawings showing COVID-19 and the connected world, the group members aired and shared their different stressful experiences during the quarantine period. Ms. Villamor discussed about “It’s Okay Not to Be Okay”; it is normal not to be okay for a minimum period of time.

In the afternoon session, Ms. Costuna talked about “Managing Stress in a Time of Crisis” and showed the participants a video about Qi facial massage. She also taught three breathing techniques: purged, boxed and deep breathing.

Fr. John Jay discussed about “Spirituality in a Time of Crisis” where spirituality involves the whole person (body, mind, soul, relationships) experiencing and knowing God for a fulfilled and authentic life. He said that in times of uncertainty, we can feel that God is with us through praying, reading the Word of God (Bible) and receiving the sacraments, especially the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.

The day was capped with the anticipated celebration of the Holy Mass in observance of the solemnity of the Ascencion with Fr. Jose Eloja as the main presider.
The Camillian Mental Health Awareness Program continued the next day with Batch 2 CFI employees. The program will run in the next months to cover all Camillian employees in the Philippines particularly those from the Camillian Socio-Health Institutions (CSI).
Through this program, the Camillian Fathers ensure the mental health and spiritual well-being of their employees and collaborators during this time of coronavirus pandemic, aside from financial and material support.

NOTE: The mininum health standards set by the Department of Health are observed in the project implementation.